Lord Stelios of Antonis. What a pretentious name. To think, she was to go with a man she didn't even know for the purpose of possibly being saddled together? Of all the men of the court, she certainly never would have chosen an Antonis. She knew his sister a little, but the men of the house she'd never met. And now said stranger's voice could be heard through the door just slightly with only some of his words audible to her ears. Was he criticizing their horses? Or... was he talking about her? The nerve! She expected better manners of an Antonis, but the Gods knew men could be crude, unfeeling beasts at times. Why her mother had married not one, but two of them escaped Elena completely at the moment.

Be gracious, Lady Sera reminded, a hand gently pushing on Elena's back to get her through the doorway.

It seemed the only thing to do was to make the best of it. Maybe he'd be a hideous ugly man and her father would stop the whole thing. It was with this cheerful thought that she came to stand within a friendly distance of her new suitor and offer her hand. His eyes were a similar vivid shade to her own, although Elena's immediate feeling was that they had seen too much. There was a heaviness in them, she thought -although then again it could have just been his generally disagreeable expression. From the tone of his voice through the door she had fully expected that. There was something in the way his roughened hand took hers that gave her pause, however. She had not expected such gentleness from such a large man. His hands were calloused but she could feel their strength and how easily he could crush hers. His face had a well kept beard framing a full set of lips. He was certainly not hideous, not even close. She glanced over her shoulder to see her mother smiling and closing the front door. There was no turning back now. Strange. He didn'tlook that old.

His unwavering gaze was uncomfortable, which she did her best to ignore. It was not uncommon to be stared at in court, but usually it wasn't the other nobles doing the staring. Rather it was normally the slaves and servants who milled about, hoping for a tidbit of gossip to pass along. To the ladies of the court, gossip was the most valuable form of currency. Lord Stelios didn't look the sort to gossip at first glance, but she had just heard him comparing her to a horse, so anything was possible. It seemed he didn't know that he'd been overheard, because his tone was nothing respectful and polite -if a tad awkward.

The horses that had been brought around were the most mild-mannered in the Marikas stables. Elena's cheeks pinkened, recognizing that this had been for her benefit. It was no secret the near miss she'd encountered as a child when she had been run over by a team of horses. Miraculously she had been entirely unscathed, but she'd had a healthy dose of nerves around them ever since. The pair brought out consisted of a pair of mares: one a lovely dapple grey an equally dainty chestnut brown. Both were excellent choices for a nervous rider and both would make sure she made it home safely. Seeing that he had chosen the grey, she shifted toward the chestnut mare, giving the animal's nose a tentative stroke.

"Shall we," she began, the rustling of cloth and leather interrupting her, "mount up?" Oh. Stelios was already astride his chosen animal, having elected not to assist her. She frowned but managed to hold in her huff of irritation. The guard generously offered the use of his linked hands to boost her into the saddle, which she rewarded with a beaming smile of gratitude. "Thank you for your assistance Laertes," she praised. "What would I do without you?" To his credit the guard merely smiled, handed her the reins with a nod, and then walked over to his own mount. He would follow the pair at a distance that would allow privacy but still allow them to be chaperoned.

"Where would you most like to go, my lord?" Lord Stelios had seemed lost in thought, but her overly polite words brought him back. She hoped he would not say that he wanted to ride to the cliff's overlooking the harbour, because the strong breezes there would almost certainly pull her hair from it's braids and the young Marikas wore only her lightest peplos so it would likely be too cool as well. She picked up the reins and pointed her steed to the courtyard entrance, their horses walking side-by-side.

Her stomach still burned from what she had overheard him say earlier -that she was a mare who could be improved with breeding!- so try as she might not to, Elena found herself meeting his icy blue eyes with her own chilled gaze. "Do you consider yourself good with horses, Lord Stelios?" The thinly veiled question was innocent enough on the surface, but the sarcasm underlying it was hard to miss. Elena fixed her peplos, the reins slipping through her fingers to loosely flop against her mare's neck. Lord Stelios was looking intently at her again, although she didn't know why yet. One thing was for certain: this ride might turn out to be anything but boring.

The reins made soft leathery sounds as she clenched them in her fists. Her mood was so thoroughly spoiled by this point that it was impossible to keep it from showing on her face. The only solution was to turn away for a long moment under the farce of fixing her peplos on the other side. Offending an Antonis was one of the least sensible things a person in Athenia could do. They were a wealthy and powerful family -almost as wealthy and powerful as her own in fact. Known for their war tactics and war horses and war generals... what was it about these men and killing?

Elena couldn't think why a person would be stupid enough to want to fight Lord Stelios though. He was a large and imposing figure, and according to the servants he had left many a man bloodied after a tavern brawl. His exploits in battle had been whispered amongst the court, including that he had charged a dozen barbarians at the northern border and killed them all without so much as a scratch. That fierceness in combat was said to carry over into his bed-play as well if rumors were to be believed. Not that she was thinking about Lord Stelios's bed-play.

No, at this moment, Elena was mostly thinking about how dislikable he was. Not a chivalrous bone in his body, he had watched her mount her horse without lifting a finger to help. And then he had watched her adjust her reins, hoping that she was holding them correctly so as to not embarrass herself. It was as if the Gods felt her fear, because the copper-coloured mare she was currently astride chose that moment to toss her delicate head, pulling the reins through Elena's fingers. Her lips pressed together in a thin line, the hot flush of embarrassment staining her cheeks. "Very well, my lord. We shall go to the cliffs." Perhaps a giant bird would swoop down, pick her up and drop her off the edge so that she could escape his powerful gaze. Every time she glanced over, he was watching her; no doubt picking up on every moment of nerves, every hint of unease, every whiff of a mistake.

He sat on the horse as if he'd been born there. The movements of his legs and hands as he guided the mare were expert, and he seemed to know just how much pressure to use to have the animal respond. As Elena watched, a hot wave of jealousy passed through her. How many times had the Lord Marikas snapped at her that she should improve her horsemanship, that it was embarrassing to have a daughter who walked everywhere like a commoner? Too many to count. It had been under protest that she had learned to ride at all. The day her father had informed her that her beloved pony -the only animal she had eventually grown to trust- had been sold (she had outgrown the animal long before), she had shut herself in her room and not spoken to him for several days. They wound their way out of the city and through some nearby fields, Laertes following behind and keeping a close eye on the pair.

“...Much fiercer warhorses than this young filly, as well.” Lord Stelios clearly knew far more about horses than about the poetry of words. What exactly was he implying? That he enjoyed a challenge? Or was he actually comparing her to a beast of burden? Under the pressure of his gaze Elena felt compelled to answer him. "You do not need to flatter me with lies, Lord Stelios. I prefer to walk when I can. Horses are," the mare sidestepped and tossed her head again, pulling the reins through her fingers once more, "trying at times. I envy your confidence." He was having no trouble with his own mount, and the silver-coloured mare certainly didn't seem to mind his quiet direction. Whenever they came to a crossroad, he skillfully moved his mount to keep pace with her own. It was irritating how he seemed so at ease while she felt so off balance.

When he asked about her sisters, Elena couldn't help but smile. Of all the topics he could have chosen, Stelios had touched on the one guaranteed to put her at ease. "You're well informed, Lord Stelios. I have two, Agathe and Daniil." There was a small pause as they turned off onto a less well-traveled path that would take them along the cliffs. "Neither are married, but my father is motivated to change that. They are.. spirited and certainly making things challenging for him." The warmth in her voice faded off as her thoughts shifted from her family to Stelios's face. He looked and sounded bored, taking some of the joy out of the topic for her. "I can introduce you if you'd like to meet one of them. They are very different from each other but both beautiful in their own way. I'm sure you'd enjoy either of their company." Likely more than mine, she thought self-consciously.

"How is your sister? I have not had the pleasure of seeing her at court lately." Her voice was raised in volume from before. The wind had picked up a little and she had to brush some escaped golden tendrils of hair out of her face. The horses carefully made their way along until the path opened up, the edge becoming visible not too far off. "It would be wise to leave the horses here and continue on foot to the edge if you wish to view the harbor. My mother, I believe," her fingers played with the reins, "packed some refreshments for us." There was fortunately a copse of trees where they could tie the horses to wait for the return ride.

The pair halted and the young Marikas found herself frozen in the saddle. Dismounting had always the most nerve-wracking part of a ride for her because it brought her closer to the hooves that could easily trample a person. She swallowed, pretending to fiddle with her reins while trying to gather her courage. How could she feel so fierce in one moment but then not have the fortitude for something so simple? "I.." Oh Gods, was she about to ask him for help?

Before anyone could find out, Laertes was dismounting nearby, throwing his mount's reins into the thicket, and striding over. As one of the guards regularly assigned to the Marikas women, he had seen this before with her. Here, Lady Elena he offered, taking the reins and steadying the mare. Perhaps she was imagining things, but it seemed to her that the guard had shot Lord Stelios an irritated look as he'd hurried over. As he started to offer his hand though, his face back to it's regular expression, Elena felt she must have imagined the whole thing.

Golden stalks waved in the breeze as they moved by on their way to the cliffs. That the view of the city and harbor was sure to be beautiful did not ease Elena's irritation. Fortunately the day didn't appear to foretell rain. Maybe the view would distract from the tangled mess her hair was sure to become. Maybe it would make up for the stilted conversation too, although the idea was almost laughable.

Her headed nodded acknowledgement that their skills lay in very different areas. It was difficult to say whether he was making fun of her horsemanship or whether he was trying to make her feel better about her lack of it. Fortunately the horses chosen for this outing were of such gentle temperaments that even a novice like herself appeared capable. He found them boring? Too bad. Elene often gave people the benefit of the doubt, but his earlier rudeness had her feeling most uncharitable. That he did not accept her compliment only furthered her belief in his lack of manners.

Elena's temper was not soothed by his judgement that she was likely more skilled in the matters of court. His admission however, was a little surprising. She had never heard a nobleman mention himself to be lacking in any capacity, let alone politics. Elena knew from watching her father how important courtly goings-on were. She had learned that despite the Senate officially voting on issues, matters were often already decided upon. What happened during court was likely more important, than what happened in the Senate chambers. This was where the power of women of the court showed.

For all his flaws, Lord Stelios seemed to at least take her words seriously. Maybe the frown behind his beard was a sign of his focus. “Spirited? Unlike you?” Ah, maybe not. As his lips turned up at the corners, hers turned down equally. “Do my words displease you, my Lord?” Her pointed words masked her hurt, but she took care to use a lowered tone. She didn't want their escort overhearing these words; it was the last kind of gossip she needed right now. The past few suitors who had attempted to make a connection had been swiftly seen off by her father. Unsuitable, he'd said. The last thing she needed was to have the rumor spread about that she was difficult as well. "I'm sorry if they-" she was cut off temporarily by a dismissive wave of his hand before ploughing ahead. "I'm sorry if they are not the ones you wish to hear. Perhaps you would enjoy speaking of yourself more." She wiped the sweat off her palms onto her peplos, hoping he didn't notice.

She never had been one for confrontation. In the Marikas house Elena was usually the peacekeeper, not the one causing trouble. It seemed Lord Stelios actually listened however, and spoke of his sister. Elena had met the young lady several times and found her to have a sharp wit and good sense of humor. "You... you asked her advice?" A pleased flush spread through her body, but she was resolute in not allowing herself to be charmed by flattery. After all, had he not paid her false compliments of her horsemanship a moment ago? And since when did a man ask a woman her opinion on any matter? The likely explanation was that he was telling her what he thought she most desired to hear, not that he had actually asked his sister about her.

Both men had dismounted and approached while she remained frozen on her mount. Neither looked pleased with the other, setting their jaws like a pair of street dogs sizing each other up. Lord Stelios's remarks to Laertes were met with a raised brow from where Elena remained perched, but she thought it wise to make no comment. There were male dynamics in play she wasn't sure she understood. Things went from bad to worse when Stelios barked an order at Laertes and the guard visibly stiffened. She nodded to her guard to assure him that she was alright, and he in turn inclined his head to Stelios. Hopefully Lord Stelios missed the chaperone's muttered insults while turning away.

Elena's mare remained in place as she swung her leg over, but even if the horse had shifted Lord Stelios's hand on her waist was strong enough to steady her. The goosebumps on her arms were from the breeze, of course. Curse her mother for choosing a material that allowed her to feel the warmth of his skin through the fabric. There was a noticeable contrast between the shelter his large body provided when he held her and the chill when he abruptly released her. "Thank you." If she was short or borderline rude, it was his fault. He had been nothing but rude this entire outing. This is going well, she thought, mentally rolling her eyes. It would have been comical if it wasn't so infuriating.

Lord Stelios hissed another order at their guard to stay, and it was immediately clear to Elena that things were going from worse to terrible. "With all due respect my Lord, my orders come from the Lady, not from you." Her guard had always been respectful to guests of House Marikas, but he'd clearly had enough of this one. Being ordered around by another noble had clearly nettled him until he decided speak his mind. "We won't go far Laertes, I promise." Her eyes didn't miss the way Laertes's hands formed into a pair of fists at his side. The air was heavy with tension, but he nodded. Afraid that Lord Stelios would further escalate the situation, she gently placed a hand on his arm and steered him toward the cliff edge.

"Come my Lord, the view this way is beautiful."

Why was he glaring at her like she was a child in need of a scolding? If anything, he was being childish with his thinly veiled insults directed at her and her family. Without knowing why, she decided to reach out once more. “Do you intend to be in Athenia long Lord Stelios? I have been told that you are often away on campaigns.” Her tone told him how much she disapproved -whether it was him being away or what exactly he was doing while away, even she didn’t know. The sword at his hip didn't look like it was merely for decoration. Lord Pavlos had forbidden his daughters learning the more masculine skills, causing a healthy dose of respect -and fear- towards weapons in his middle child. Weapons and the violence they represented just weren't part of her world.

Despite her growing dislike, social manners dictated she follow his lead closer to the cliff edge than she would have liked. They approached the edge, the harbor opening up below them. The ships bobbed in the gentle waves, appearing more like toys than the massive creations they truly were. She wondered how many Stelios had travelled on, and part of her wanted to ask. Another part of her felt sure that he would swiftly end the conversation with another rude remark. After a moment of silence with no other topic obviously available to her, the burning in her stomach could no longer be denied. "You did not have to speak to Laertes in such a manner," she challenged. Her hand went to her hip and her head tilted back just slightly so she could look him in the eye. What a countenance he had, so proud and angry. At the moment, Elena felt like she could match his pride and anger with equal fierceness. If he wished to be so rude, he would find out what a Marikas woman was capable of.